Showerman shares insight with young Lions

It’s not uncommon for alumni to return to their high schools in an effort to lend a hand to the younger athletes.

It is uncommon for that athlete to have All-America credentials.

Former South Lyon runner Brent Showerman went from being a walk-on at Grand Valley State University to leading his team with a 14th-place finish at nationals to earn Division II All-America honors as well as GLIAC Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year in 2013.

Showerman made a trip to South Lyon’s cross country camp before the season officially got underway to offer some advice to the team and try to motivate the Lions.

“It’s just good to give back. I went through it and know what they are going through,” he said. “I’m just a normal guy who went through what they’re going through. It’s not inconceivable that they could reach the same levels that I reached.

“I was a kid who always tried to push to make the team better. If you have that kind of attitude, you’re not going to go wrong.”

One thing Showerman tried to impart to the current team is to take time to cherish the moments.

“It goes by fast. I know it’s kind of what everyone says, but sitting in their shoes, it’s impossible to know how fast it will go and how you will look back on the memories and hold them close,” Showerman said. “You’re here, you got all these things going, just take a second to look around and remember what’s going on, because it’s not going to last forever. But the memories you have and the experiences that you share with your teammates are going to.”

For cross country head coach Scott Smith, having any of his former runners helping out is welcome.

But having one – with such accomplishments – return only increases the amount of pride for Smith.

“The part that wowed the boys, his time at the national meet was 30:40 for a 10K, which translates into back-to-back 15:20 for 5Ks. That, as much as anything else, floored the kids,” Smith said.

Possible coach?

Showerman thanked Smith and all of his coaches for helping him along the way. He is serving an internship right now, but doesn’t dismiss the possibility of coaching cross country someday.

“I coached one season in college at Grandville High School for track, I really liked it,” he said. “It could be something I could possibly do on the side. That’s the ultimate way to give back, is to reach out and help another future generation of kids love the sport just the way I did.

“It’s a credit to all the great coaches I’ve had and kind of showing me what a good coach can do for a kid.”

Showerman wasn’t the only one helping out as camp. His mother Susan helped the team work through a yoga session as well, something Smith is very fond of for his athletes.

“His mother is a real first-class yoga instructor,” Smith said. “We had a session of yoga, we had lunch and then Brent came out and talked to the guys.”